TESERO, Italy – Simona Bubeníčková added to a historic day for the Czech Republic at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, securing a silver medal in the women’s biathlon individual event on Sunday. The 17-year-old’s performance in Tesero follows Carina Edlingerová’s silver medal in the sprint event on Saturday, marking the Czech team’s first Paralympic medals in 16 years, since the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.
Bubeníčková, who is visually impaired, finished the 12.5km race just behind China’s Wang Yue. While Bubeníčková placed fourth in Saturday’s sprint, she demonstrated remarkable consistency on Sunday, making only one shooting error. Wang Yue, however, proved too strong, completing the course with the fastest running time and also a single shooting error, finishing 1:46.0 minutes ahead of the Czech athlete.
The silver medal continues a remarkable rise for Bubeníčková, who only recently added biathlon to her repertoire alongside cross-country skiing. Last year, she was crowned world champion in cross-country skiing and has consistently earned medals in both sports on the World Cup circuit. She competed with her guide, David Šrůtek, throughout the event.
“I am incredibly proud to represent the Czech Republic,” Edlingerová said after her sprint victory on Saturday, as reported by paralympic.cz. “It’s a great honor for me and Alex [Paťava] to win the first medal after 16 years. I hope this medal brings some joy to everyone who has helped us on this challenging journey. We have fulfilled our mission, and it’s incredibly emotional for me.”
Edlingerová, originally from Austria but now competing for the Czech Republic, finished seventh in Sunday’s biathlon race. Six penalty minutes hampered her chances of a second medal. She had been a Paralympic champion in para biathlon at the 2022 Beijing Games, but was only eligible to compete in biathlon at these games due to her recent change in national representation.
The Czech team’s success is particularly poignant given the long wait for a Paralympic medal. According to the official Paralympic website, the nation had been searching for a podium finish at the Winter Games since Vancouver 2010. Bubeníčková’s silver medal, building on Edlingerová’s achievement, signals a potential turning point for Czech Paralympic sport.
While the spotlight shone brightly on the women’s biathlon events, the Czech team also saw action in the men’s standing biathlon. Miroslav Motejzík, a 50-year-old athlete, finished 19th in the individual event.
Bubeníčková’s performance solidifies her position as a key medal hope for the Czech delegation throughout the remainder of the Milán Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. Her rapid ascent in both biathlon and cross-country skiing demonstrates a versatility and determination that bodes well for future competitions. The young athlete’s success is a testament to her dedication and the support of her team, including guide David Šrůtek.
The next biathlon event for Bubeníčková is scheduled for tomorrow, with the women’s individual race on the 12.5km course. She expressed her excitement for the upcoming competition, stating she plans to relax and spend time with her dog, Riley, before returning to the course.
This double-medal success for the Czech Republic is a significant moment for the nation’s Paralympic program, offering a surge of optimism and inspiration as the Games continue in Italy. The performances of Edlingerová and Bubeníčková have not only broken a 16-year medal drought but have also established a strong foundation for future success.
What’s Next: Simona Bubeníčková will compete in the women’s individual biathlon race on Monday, March 9th. Further updates and schedules can be found on the official Paralympic website: https://paralympic.cz/
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